The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lere Olayinka, has dismissed as “shamefully baseless” the security alert raised by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, regarding a planned rally in support of Nyesom Wike.
Governor Diri had reportedly raised concerns about an alleged “mega rally and inauguration of a group loyal to the FCT Minister” in Bayelsa, prompting security council and elders’ meetings in the state.
However, Olayinka, in a statement issued on Thursday, criticized the governor for what he described as an attempt to stoke unnecessary fears and distract from governance failures.
“It is unfortunate that a governor with all the security apparatus at his disposal would go on national television over mere suspicions of people planning a rally, which is their fundamental right to hold,” Olayinka said.
He questioned why Governor Diri appeared to be afraid of Wike and asserted that the minister had no reason to hide any political activity. “If the FCT Minister was going to attend any political rally in Bayelsa or anywhere else, he would inform security agencies himself. He has nothing to hide,” he stated.
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Olayinka further accused Governor Diri of hypocrisy, recalling how the Bayelsa leader once sought Wike’s support during his re-election campaign.
“When he was seeking reelection, this same Diri was brought to Wike, like a thief in the night, by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Lokpobiri. David Lyon came with him then. He was kneeling down, begging Wike for support, and Wike had to tell him, ‘No, don’t do that, you’re a governor,’” Olayinka recounted.
He criticized the governor for allegedly turning against Wike after benefiting from his goodwill, describing it as an attempt to cover up for governance failures.
“Shamefully, the same Wike has now become someone he goes about disparaging. It is unfortunate that some people don’t have a conscience,” Olayinka said.
